As an inventor with multiple patented invention ideas, staying on top of technology trends can help you stand out from your peers. You will find business opportunities when others are complaining about the changes.

And talking about changes, this article contains the top 5 technologies at the forefront. Check them out below.

More importantly, we will advise you to charge your creativity to explore the listed technologies for marketing opportunities.

That said, let's delve in.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI has been one of the hottest topics around. Over the years, several industries have successfully utilized this technology to solve critical issues.

A recent example is during COVID - AI-assisted interventions such as robotics were employed to assist doctors and patients.

Health aside, AI is used even in digital marketing. Now, businesses have AI assistants to fine-tune their marketing efforts.

Summarily, AI is here to stay. And with the advent of SMART technologies, AI's importance is critical now more than ever.

And if you think AI is only limited to large corporations, you need a rethink. Even small businesses are using the technology.

AI can help small businesses personalize their customer experience, attract sales, and to scale up.

So, what should you do with the information?

Go to your drawing board; think of AI-assisted inventions that can help small businesses in your local area.

Start from there, then you can build an app or platform that eases the life of businesses.

Pro tip: whatever invention you devise, ensure it's what businesses need. In other words, do market research first.

Automation

After AI, another relatively new technology buzzing in the business world now is automation. Everyone wants to automate their processes, reduce costs, enhance productivity, and get results faster.

In all of that need to automate processes, there are limitless opportunities. For starters, you could draw inspiration from automating emails. Mailchimp is doing something similar and is getting results.

Also, you can think beyond Mailchimp. How about a system that helps businesses get prospects, convert them, and distribute goods?

Think of a genuine problem that businesses often waste money on. Then, create a system that removes the stress and provides even a faster result.

Note: AI and automation can be somewhat confused with each other. However, they are different.

Automation is just an aggregate of clearly defined and repetitive tasks. On the other hand, AI is a robust system that involves even complex ideas like Machine Learning.

Pro tip: both AI and automation will depend on cloud storage. You might also want to explore cloud computing.

Remote Onboarding

Another good thing that came from COVID is remote working. While the roles were a feature before the pandemic, they became more popular during the period.

Today, businesses want remote workers. Like automation, remote working reduces expenses. For starters, there will be no need for large office spaces.

Also, employees can work in their comfort. They will be happy and deliver their best.

So, how does all that help you?

Remote workers are difficult to onboard - like in-office employees. As an inventor, you can eliminate the difficulty.

You can think of a way to make the remote onboarding experience exciting for employers and employees.

More importantly, you can find a way to help employees understand the values of a company without physical contact.

If you can build on those ideas, you can explore the opportunities in remote onboarding. And now, you might argue that not all companies offer remote positions.

Enterprises and even small businesses are now open to hybrid working conditions. With time, remote working will be widely accepted.

But before that time comes and other inventors saturate the market, you can take action now.

Employee Monitoring

If enterprises adopt hybrid-remote conditions, how can they measure productivity? How will companies coordinate employees?

Those questions led to another emerging technology - employee monitoring.

Like in-office working conditions, two-way communication is also crucial to remote working. Without it, goals and deadlines will be unmet.

Besides, distracted employees will take the remote working condition lightly. Unfortunately, that will lead to losses for the company.

But thanks to employee monitoring, those shortcomings can be prevented.

The technology can help businesses check that their employees are doing what's expected at the right time and the right way.

Note: employee monitoring tools are not spyware. They only provide oversight of employees' productivity.

And for now, the market for this critical technology is relatively untapped. That's your cue!

Cybersecurity

Emerging technologies require the internet. Even local businesses now are all online.

Unfortunately, the influx of businesses to the web attracted cyber-attacks and malware. Now, crucial company data could be hacked.

Worse case: websites could be cloned and payment diverted.

And mind you, cyberbullies don't attack only enterprises. They also go after small businesses - even charitable organizations.

In all of that turmoil, you can help. Think of ways to help businesses against cyber-attacks. If you can find the PERFECT solution, you might be the next Bill Gates.

Summarily, you don't need to be a champion of emerging technologies to understand them. You can start with your friends!

Will the new technology affect your friends' businesses? How? How can you help?

That's the answer to your next invention or business idea!

Further reading: What Should You Do When You Have An Invention Idea?